Independence referendum: Pro-union booklet to be sent to every home in Scotland at cost of £720,000

00:01, 14 Jun 2014

ByScotland Now

THE 16-page UK Government booklet is aimed at voters who say they still do not have enough information to make an informed choice on September 18.

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The pro-union booklet will cost £720,000

A UK Government booklet setting out a positive case for Scotland remaining in the UK will be posted to every Scottish household at a cost of £720,000.

The 16-page booklet is aimed at voters who say they still do not have enough information to make an informed choice in the independence referendum.

It contains information that is currently available in the UK Government's Scotland Analysis papers, but in a more "clear and simple format", officials said.

More than 2.5 million booklets will be printed and distributed to every household in Scotland from 23 June.

The £720,000 cost - which is around 30p per booklet - will be covered by the Cabinet Office budget and not the Scottish government's block grant.

The Scottish government has said it received 60,000 requests for copies of its own Scotland's Future booklet.

A spokesman said there had been a further 60,000 downloads of the document which has been described as a blueprint for independence.

However, it does not include any of the new powers Scots have been promised if they vote No on September 18.

Only the powers mention are those currently guaranteed under the Scotland Act 2012 mentioned.

Launching the booklet at the Scotland Office in Edinburgh, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said: "The information that we have provided in the Scotland Analysis programme, over 1,000 pages, has very much shaped the debate over the last 18 months and it has concentrated on those issues in relation to which the decision will ultimately be made.

Phil Dye

The Scottish government said it received 60,000 requests for copies of its Scotland's Future booklet

"It is clear, however, that there is still demand from the general public for information to be distilled in a clear and simple format for them to consider before they vote in this most important decision that we will ever make as a country.